Trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative, a method for the preparation thereof and a herbicide containing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula given below, a herbicide with the derivative as the active ingredient and a method for the preparation of the derivative. ##STR1## [In the formula, X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and A is --O--CR 3  R 4  --, --S--CR 3  R 4  --, --SO--CR 3  R 4  --, --SO 2  --CR 3  R 4  -- or --SO 2  --NR 3  --. And, R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.] 
     These compounds are prepared depending on A in the above given general formula by the reaction of an amine derivative and a trifluoromethansulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride or by the oxidation of a thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative. 
     Further, these trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives are useful as a herbicide and serve to weeding of weeds without phytotoxicity against crops in upland field. These trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives can also be used as a plant growth regulator.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention related to a novel trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative, a method for the preparation thereof and a herbicide containing the same.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

It is known that benzylamine-type trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives such as N-benzyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide and the like and trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives having a condensed heterocyclic ring structure have herbicidal activity so that they are used as a herbicide.

These compounds, however, have no sufficiently high herbicidal activity against troublesome weeds and common weeds in upland field and, in addition, have a problem in respect of the phytotoxicity to crops.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a herbicide containing a novel trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative as the active ingredient having, by solving the problem of the phytotoxicity to crops, sufficiently high herbicidal activity against weeds including purple nutsedge, i.e. Cyperus rotundus, and safety for crops in upland filed such as soybean, cotton, maize and the like.

A second object of the present invention is to provide the novel trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative used as the active ingredient of the above mentioned herbicide and an efficient method for the preparation thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides:

(1) a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR2## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, A is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ --, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

(2) a method for the preparation of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR3## in which X, n, R¹, R² and A¹ each have the same meaning as defined below, characterized by reacting an amine derivative represented by the general formula ##STR4## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, A¹ is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ -- and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a trifluoromethanesulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride;

(3) a method for the preparation of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR5## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, A² is --SO--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ --, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, characterized by oxidizing a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative having a thiochroman ring represented by the general formula ##STR6## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

(4) a herbicide containing a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR7## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, A is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ --, -- SO--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ --or --SO₂ --NR³ --, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives of the present invention are each a novel compound and can be used effectively as a herbicide. Further, the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives can be prepared efficiently in a high purity and in a high yield according to the method of the present invention.

The herbicide of the present invention can exhibit the effectiveness in either of the treating methods including the soil treatment and foliar treatment. Further, this herbicide has an excellent herbicidal effect against purple nutsedge known as a hardly controllable weed as compared with hitherto marketed herbicides such as Perfluidone, Alachlor and the like and can exhibit a sufficiently high herbicidal effect against other weeds even in a low dose. Furthermore, the herbicide of the present invention has no phytotoxicity even in a high dose against the crops such as soybean, cotton, maize and the like so that it is applicable to these crops with safety and widely usable as a herbicide in non-plowed field and as a plant growth regulator.

BEST MODE EMBODIMENTS TO PRACTICE THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR8## in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3, A is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO₂ --CR³ R₄ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ --, and R¹, R₂, R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, along with following two methods as a method for the preparation of this trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative. Namely, there are provided a method for the preparation of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR9## in which X, n, R¹, R² and A¹ each have the same meaning as defined below, i.e. a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative having a (thio)chroman ring or a 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide ring, characterized by reacting an amine derivative represented by the general formula ##STR10## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above and A¹ is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ --, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each have the same meaning as defined above, and a trifluoromethanesulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, hereinafter referred to as the Method 1, and a method for the preparation of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR11## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above, A² is --SO--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --CR³ R₄ --, and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each have the same meaning as defined above, characterized by oxidizing a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative having a thio-chroman ring represented by the general formula ##STR12## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each have the same meaning as defined above, hereinafter referred to as the Method 2.

Further, the present invention provides a herbicide containing the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula [I].

The compound represented by the above given general formula [I]is a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative and, in the formula, X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A each have the meaning defined above. Namely, X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as chlorine atom, bromine atom, fluorine atom, iodine atom and the like, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, e.g., n- and isopropyl groups, butyl group, e.g., n-, iso-, sec- and tert-butyl groups, and the like or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as trifluoromethyl group, trichloromethyl group, dichloromethyl group, tetrafluoroethyl group, monochloromethyl group, monobromomethyl group, monofluoromethyl group, difluoromethyl group, chlorofluoromethyl group, dibromomethyl group, dichcloromethyl group, bromofluoromethyl group, heptafluoropropyl group, dibromomethyl group, dibromofluoromethyl group, chlorodifluoromethyl group, bromodifluoromethyl group, dichlorofluoromethyl group, pentafluoroethyl group, difluoroethyl group and the like. And, n is 1, 2 or 3. On the other hand, R¹, R²,R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, e.g., n- and iso-propyl groups, butyl group, e.g., n-, iso-, sec- and tert-butyl groups, and the like. And, A is --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--Cr³ R⁴ --, --SO--CR³ R⁴ --, --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ --.

The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives of the present invention include a variety of compounds and are exemplified, in addition to the compounds obtained in the Preparation Examples described below, by those expressed by the following structural formulas: ##STR13##

The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the above given general formula [I]can be prepared by a variety of methods. Among them, the above described Method 1 and Method 2 can be named as an efficient method for the preparation.

According to the Method 1, an amine derivative represented by the general formula [II]and a trifluoromethanesulfonyl halide, such as CF₃ SO₂ Cl, CF₃ SO₂ F and the like, or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (CF₃ SO 2)₂ O are reacted to give the desired trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula [I-A], i.e. trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative having a chroman ring, thiochroman ring or 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide ring, corresponding to a part of the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives of the general formula [I]having --O--CR³ R⁴ --, --S--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A in the formula [I].

Here, the amine derivative represented by the general formula [II]or, namely, the amine derivative having a (thio)chroman ring or 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide ring includes various compounds. X, n, R¹, R², R³, R4 and A¹ in the general formula [II]each have the meaning defined above and, in particular, the amine derivative to be selected should have the substituents, i.e. X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A¹, corresponding to the substituents of the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the general formula [I-A]to be prepared

While various methods may be applicable to the preparation of the amine derivative represented by the above given general formula [II], meanwhile, the process I or II shown below should be undertaken when A¹ in the general formula [II]is --O--CR³ R⁴ -- or --S--CR³ R⁴ --, the process III, IV or V should be undertaken when A¹ is --SO₂ --NR³ --and the process VI should be undertaken when R¹ and R² are the same alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

<Process I>

A (thio)phenol compound represented by the general formula ##STR14## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above and A³ is a sulfur atom or oxygen atom, and a halogen-containing ester represented by the general formula

    X.sup.1 --CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 --COOR.sup.5, [IV]

in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each have the same meaning as defined above, R⁵ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X¹ is a halogen atom, are reacted to produce a phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing ester represented by the general formula ##STR15## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is then saponified, i.e. hydrolyzed, to give the phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid represented by the general formula ##STR16## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above. Meanwhile, the phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid of this general formula [V']can be obtained by the reaction of the (thio)phenol compound of the general formula [III]with a halogen-containing carboxylic acid represented by the general formula

    X.sup.1 --CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 --CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 --COOH,      [IV']

in which X¹, R¹, R², R³ and R4 each have the same meaning as defined above.

Further, dehydrative cyclization of the phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid of the general formula [V']gives a cyclic ketone compound represented by the general formula ##STR17## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, and the reaction of the same with hydroxylamine or an O-alkyl hydroxylamine represented by the general formula NH₂ OR⁶, in which R⁶ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, gives an oxime or oxime ether compound represented by the general formula ##STR18## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁶ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is reduced to give an amine derivative with --O--CR³ R⁴ -- or --S--CR³ R⁴ -- in the general formula [II].

Meanwhile, reduction of the cyclic ketone compound represented by the general formula [VI]gives a cyclic alcohol compound represented by the general formula ##STR19## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, and the reaction of the same with a halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride and the like gives a halogencontaining containing compound represented by the general formula ##STR20## in which X, n, X¹, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is reacted with, for example, sodium azide and the like to give an azide compound represented by the general formula ##STR21## in which X, n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is reduced to give an amine derivative with --O--CR³ R⁴ -- or --S--CR³ R⁴ -- as the A¹ in the general formula [II ].

<Process II>

The (thio) phenol compound represented by the general formula [III]is reacted with an unsaturated casrboxylic acid ester represented by the general formula ##STR22## in which R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ each have the same meaning as defined above to give a phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing ester represented by the general formula ##STR23## in which X, n, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is saponified, i.e. hydrolyzed, to give the phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid represented by the general formula ##STR24## in which X, n, R², R³, R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above. Meanwhile, the phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid of the general formula [V'--A]can be obtained by the reaction of the (thio) phenol compound of the general formula [III]with an unsaturated casrboxylic acid represented by the general formula ##STR25## in which R², R³ , and R⁴ each have the same meaning as defined above.

Dehydrative cyclization of the thus obtained phenoxy or phenylthio group-containing carboxylic acid of the general formula [V'--A]gives a cyclic ketone represented by the general formula ##STR26## H in which X, n, R², R³, R⁴ and A³ each have the same meaning as defined above, namely, with a hydrogen atom as the R¹ in the general formula [VI], which is reacted with an alkyl halide represented by the general formula R⁷ X¹, in which X¹ has the same meaning as defined above and R⁷ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, to give a cyclic ketone compound with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R¹ in the general formula [VI]. Meanwhile, a subsequent treatment undertaken in the same manner as in the process I gives an amine derivative with --O--CR³ R⁴ -- or --S--CR³ R⁴ -- and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R¹ in the general formula [II]. Meanwhile, the treatment with the general formula R⁷ X¹ is not necessary in the above described process II when an amine derivative with --O--CR³ R⁴ -- or --S--CR³ R⁴ -- as the A¹ and a hydrogen atom as the R¹ in the general formula [II]is desired.

<Process III>

This method is a method described in Journal of Organic Chemistry, volume 30, page 2241 (1965) and volume 31, page 162 (1966).

A saccharin compound represented by the general formula ##STR27## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above, is reacted with a halogenated acetone represented by the general formula X¹ --CH₂ --CO--CH₃, in which X¹ has the same meaning as defined above, in the presence of a suitable base such as sodium hydride, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and the like to give an N-acetonyl saccharin compound represented by the general formula ##STR28## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above.

In the next place, the N-acetonyl saccharin compound represented by the general formula [XII']is reacted with at least 2 equivalent of sodium ethoxide to give a 3-acetyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound as a cyclic ketone compound represented by the general formula ##STR29## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above.

The 3-acetyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by this general formula [XII"] is reacted with 3 to 10 equivalent of ethylene glycol under reflux of benzene to give a ketalized cyclic ketone compound, i.e. 2 H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR30## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above.

Further, the ketalized 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XII"']is reacted with an alkyl halide represented by the general formula R⁸ X¹, in which X¹ has the same meaning as defined above and R⁸ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a suitable acid acceptor such as triethylamine, dimethylaniline, pyridine and the like for N-alkylation followed by hydrolysis under an acidic condition to give an N-alkylated cyclic ketone compound, i.e. 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound, represented by the general formula ##STR31## in which X, n and R³ each have the same meaning as defined above. The same treatment as in the process I subsequently undertaken gives an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A¹, hydrogen atoms as the R¹ and R² and alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R³ in the general formula [II]. Meanwhile, the treatment with the general formula R⁸ X¹ is not necessary in the above described process III when an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A¹ and a hydrogen atom as the R³ also in the general formula [II]is desired.

<Process IV>

This method is a method described in Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin I, page 2589 (1974) and Journal of Chemical Communication, page 771 (1976).

A saccharin compound represented by the general formula [XII]is reacted with 2 equivalent of a suitable organometallic compound such as methyllithium, methylmagnesium iodide and the like to give a 3-methyl-1,2-benzoisothiazole 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR32## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above.

In the next place, the 3-methyl-1,2-benzoisothiazole 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XIII]is reacted with 1 equivalent of bromine to give a 3-bromomethyl-1,2-benzoisothiazole 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR33## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above.

Further, the 3-bromomethyl-1,2-benzoisothiazole 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XIII']is reacted with at least 2 equivalent of sodium ethoxide to give a cyclic ketone compound, i.e. 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound, represented by the general formula ##STR34## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above. The same treatment as in the process I subsequently undertaken gives an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A¹ and hydrogen atoms as the R¹, R² and R³ in the general formula [II].

Meanwhile, the saccharin compound represented by the general formula [XII]and used as the starting material in the processes III and IV can be prepared in a variety of methods and, for example, can be prepared by the method shown below as disclosed in Journal of Organic Chemistry, volume 36, page 1843 (1971).

A benzenesulfonyl halide compound represented by the general formula ##STR35## in which X, n and X¹ each have the same meaning as defined above, is reacted with tert-butylamine in the presence of a suitable acid acceptor such as triethylamine, diethylaniline, pyridine and the like to give an N-tert-butylbenzenesulfonamide compound represented by the general formula ##STR36## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above. In this case, the acid acceptor is not indispensable and the tert-butylamine may serve as an acid acceptor when used in an excessive amount.

In the next place, the N-tert-butylbenzenesulfonamide compound represented by the general formula [XIV']is converted into a metal salt by use of at least two equivalent of an organometallic compound such as n-butyllithium and the like and this is reacted with carbon dioxide gas to give a 2-(N- tert-butylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid compound represented by the general formula ##STR37## in which X and n each have the same meaning as defined above. Further, the saccharin compound represented by the general formula [XII]can be obtained by heating this 2-(N-tertbutylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid compound represented by the general formula [XIV"]in polyphosphoric acid. <Process V>

When the 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compounds represented by the general formulas [VI-B]and [VI-C]prepared in the processes III and IV, referred to as the cyclic ketone compounds 1, are reacted in the presence of a suitable base such as sodium hydride, sodium amide, sodium ethoxide and the like with a suitable alkoxycarbonylating agent such as ethyl chloroformate, methyl chloroformate, ethyl carbonate and the like represented by the general formula X² COOR, in which X2 is a halogen atom or an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and R is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR38## in which X, n, R and R³ each have the same meaning as defined above, referred to as the cyclic ketone compound 2, is obtained.

In the next place, this 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XV]is reacted in the presence of a suitable base such as sodium hydride, triethylamine, sodium carbonate and the like with an alkyl halide represented by the general formula R⁹ X¹, in which R⁹ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X¹ has the same meaning as defined above, to give a 3-alkyl-3-alkoxycarbonyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR39## in which X, n, R, R⁹ and R³ each have the same meaning as define above, which is referred to as the cyclic ketone compound 3.

In the next place, this 3-alkyl-3-alkoxycarbonyl-2H-1,2- benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XV']is heated under a basic condition or under an acidic condition to effect hydrolysis and decarboxylation reaction to give a 3-alkyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR40## in which X, n, R³ and R⁹ each have the same meaning as defined above, which is referred to as the cyclic ketone compound 4.

Further, this 3-alkyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XV"]is reacted in the presence of a suitable base such as sodium hydride, sodium amide, sodium ethoxide and the like with an alkyl halide represented by the general formula R¹⁰ X¹, in which X¹ has the same meaning and R¹⁰ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, to give a 3,3-dialkyl-2H-1,2-benzothaizin-4(3H)- one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula ##STR41## in which X, n, R⁹, R¹⁰ and R3 each have the same meaning as defined above, which is referred to as the cyclic ketone compound 5, followed by the same treatment as in the process I subsequently undertaken to give an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A¹ and alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R¹ and R² in the general formula [II]. Meanwhile, it is not necessary in order to prepare an amine derivative with a hydrogen atom as the R² and --SO₂ --NR³ -- as the A¹ in the general formula [II]to undertake the reaction of the 3-alkyl-2H-1,2- benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [XV"]with the alkyl halide represented by the general formula R¹⁰ X¹ in the presence of a base. Besides, an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR₃ -- as the A¹ and a hydrogen atom as the R³ in the general formula [II]can be prepared by using a 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [VI-C]with hydrogen as the R³ as the starting material. Further, an amine derivative with --SO₂ --NR3-- as the A¹ and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R³ in the general formula [II]can be prepared by using a 2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4(3H)-one 1,1-dioxide compound represented by the general formula [VI-B]with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms as the R³ as the starting material.

<Process VI>

An amine derivative with the same alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atom as the R¹ and R² in the general formula [II]or, namely, an amine derivative represented by the general formula ##STR42## in which X, n and A¹ each have the same meaning as defined above and R¹¹ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, can be obtained by using a cyclic ketone compound obtained by the process I, II, III or IV with hydrogen atoms as the R¹ and R² or, namely, a cyclic ketone compound represented by the general formula ##STR43## in which X, n and A¹ each have the same meaning as defined above, as the starting material and converting the same by the reaction with an alkyl halide represented by the general formula R¹¹ X¹, in which R¹¹ and X¹ each have the same meaning as defined above, into a cyclic ketone compound represented by the general formula ##STR44##

in which X, n, R11 and A1 each have the same meaning as defined above, followed by the same treatment as in the process I subsequently undertaken to give the amine derivative of the general formula [II-A].

In the Method 1 of the present invention, the amine derivative obtained by above mentioned procedure represented by the general formula [II], which also includes the general formula [II-A], and a trifluoromethanesulfonyl halide or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride are reacted and the conditions in this case are not particularly limitative. Usually, the reaction may be performed by using a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, benzene, toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, chloroform, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like in the presence of an acid acceptor such as triethylamine, dimethylaniline, pyridine and the like at a temperature of -15° C. to 80° C. for about 30 minutes to several hours. Incidentally, this reaction can proceed also without any solvent.

In the Method 2 of the present invention, in the next place, the thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula [I-A']and obtained by the above described method 1 or other methods, which corresponds to --S--CR³ R⁴ -- as the A¹ in the general formula [I-A], is oxidized to give a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative as desired represented by the general formula [I-B], which corresponds to a part of the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives of the general formula [I]or, in other words, corresponds to --SO--CR³ R⁴ -- or --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ -- as the A in the formula [I]. The oxidizing agents used here for oxidizing the thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the general formula [I-A']include various ones, of which, for example, oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium metaperiodate, peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, chromic acid, potassium permanganate and the like are preferred. The conditions of this oxidation reaction are not particularly limitative and may be appropriately selected depending on the situation but, usually, the reaction can be performed by using a solvent such as acetic acid, acetone, methyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol and the like at a reaction temperature of 0 to 150° C. for about 1 to 20 hours. When the A² in the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the general formula [I-B]as the desired product is --SO--CR³ R⁴ --, it is preferable that the reaction is conducted by adding about 1 mole of the oxidizing agent and, when A² is --SO₂ --CR³ R⁴ --, by adding at least 2 moles of the oxidizing agent per mole of the thiochroman ring-containing trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the general formula [I-A'].

In the above described Method 1 and Method 2 of the present invention, the product is, after completion of the above described reaction, isolated and washed to give the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the present invention represented by the general formula [I], i.e. general formulas [I-A]and [I-B], in a high purity and in a high yield.

The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of the present invention prepared in this manner is a novel compound and particularly effective as a herbicide and also can be utilized as a plant growth regulator.

To follow up, the herbicide of the present invention contains the above described trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula [I]or, in particular, contains the same as the active ingredient. This herbicide can be applied in a preparation form such as wettable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, dust, granules and the like by blending the above described derivative as the active ingredient with a liquid carrier such as an organic solvent and the like or a solid carrier such as a fine mineral powder and the like. A surface active agent may be added in the preparation form in order to impart emulsifiability, dispersibility, spreadability and the like.

When the herbicide of the present invention is used in the form of wettable powder, it is usual to use a composition prepared by compounding the compound of the present invention represented by the above given general formula [I]as the active ingredient in a proportion of 10 to 55% by weight, a solid carrier in a proportion of 40 to 88% by weight and a surface active agent in a proportion of 2 to 5% by weight. And, when used in the form of emulsifiable concentrate, it is usual to prepare the same by compounding the compound of the present invention as the active ingredient in a proportion of 20 to 50% by weight, a solvent in a proportion of 35 to 75% by weight and a surface active agent in a proportion of 5 to 15% by weight. When used in the form of dust, on the other hand, it is usual to prepare the same by compounding the compound of the present invention represented by the general formula [I]as the active ingredient in a proportion of 1 to 15% by weight, a solid carrier in a proportion of 80 to 97% by weight and a surface active agent in a proportion of 2 to 5% by weight. Further, when used in the form of granules, it is prepared by compounding the compound of the present invention represented by the general formula [I]as the active ingredient in a proportion of 3 to 15% by weight, a solid carrier in a proportion of 80 to 95% by weight and a surface active agent in a proportion of 2 to 5% by weight.

Fine mineral powder is used here as the solid carrier and the fine mineral powder is exemplified by oxides such as diatomaceous earth, slaked lime and the like, phosphates such as apatite and the like, sulfates such as gypsum and the like, silicates such as talc, pyrophyllite, clay, kaolin, bentonite, acid clay, white carbon, quartz powder, silica stone powder and the like, and so on.

And, organic solvents are used as the solvent and particular examples thereof include aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, toluene, benzene and the like, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as o-chlorotoluene, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene and the like, alcohols such as cyclohexanol, amyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and the like, ketones such as isophorone, cyclohexanone, cyclohexenylcyclohexanone and the like, ethers such as butyl cellosolve, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether and the like, esters such as isopropyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl phthalate and the like and amides such as dimethylformamide and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

Further, as surface active agents, any of anionic, nonionic and cationic surface active agents, and amphoteric surface active agents (e.g., amino acid and betaine) can be used.

Incidentally, it is optional to use other herbicidal ingredients as the active ingredients of the herbicide of the present invention in combination with the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula [I]. Hitherto marketed herbicides are named as there additional herbicidal ingredients and there can be named various ones such as phenoxy herbicides, diphenyl ether herbicides, triazine herbicides, urea herbicides, carbamate herbicides, thiol carbamate herbicides, acid anilide herbicides, uracil herbicides, pyridinium salt herbicides, phosphorus herbicides, toluidine herbicides and the like.

Further, it is optional according to need to use the herbicide of the present invention as admixed with insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and the like.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1

5.07 g (0.034 mole) of 4-aminochroman and 4.0 g (0.04 mole) of triethylamine were dissolved in 50 ml of methylene chloride and cooled to 5° C. in an ice bath. This was admixed with 11.3 g (0.04 mole) of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in such a manner that the temperature did not exceed 10° C. Thereafter, reaction was performed at room temperature for 2 hours and the reaction mixture was washed with 5% hydrochloric acid and then with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate followed by concentration under reduced pressure The thus obtained oily material was dissolved in 85 ml of ethyl alcohol containing 8.9 g of potassium hydroxide and, after standing overnight, poured into water and washed with ether. Further, it was made acidic with 5% hydrochloric acid and the crystals formed were collected by filtration. As a result, the compound 1 was obtained. The structural formula as well as the analytical results and the like are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 2 to 6

The compounds 2 to 6 were obtained by undertaking the same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 excepting the use of 4-aminothiochroman (Preparation Example 2), 4-amino-7-chloro thiochroman (Preparation Example 3), 4-amino-5-methylthiochroman (Preparation Example 4), 4-amino-5,8-dichlorothiochroman (Preparation Example 5) or 4-amino-8-trifluoromethylthiochroman (Preparation Example 6) in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 7 and 8

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to give 6.8 g of a solid excepting the use of 4-amino-3-methylthiochroman in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. This solid exhibited two spots on a thin-layer chromatogram so that it was adsorbed on a silica gel and eluted out by using a solvent mixture of equal amounts of methylene chloride and n-hexane. As a result, the compound 7 and compound 8 were obtained. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 7 was cis-3-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman and the compound 8 was trans-3-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 9 and 10

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to give 7.7 g of a solid excepting the use of 4-amino-6-fluoro-2-methylthiochroman in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. This solid exhibited two spots on a thin-layer chromatogram so that it was adsorbed on a silica gel and eluted out by using a solvent mixture of equal amounts of methylene chloride and n-hexane. As a result, the compound 9 and compound 10 were obtained The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 9 was 6-fluoro-trans-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman and the compound 10 was 6-fluoro-cis-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 11 and 12

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to obtain the compound 11 or compound 12 excepting the use of 4-amino-8-chloro-3-methylthiochroman (Preparation Example 11) or 4-amino-6,7-dichloro-2-methylthiochroman (Preparation Example 12) in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 11 was 8-chloro-cis-3-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman and the compound 12 was 6,7-dichloro-trans-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 13 and 14

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to obtain 7.3 g of a solid excepting the use of 4-amino-2-n-propylthiochroman in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. This solid exhibited two spots on a thin-layer chromatogram so that it was adsorbed on a silica gel and eluted out by using a 1:5 solvent mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane. As a result, the compound 13 and compound 14 were obtained. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 13 was cis-2-n-propyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman and the compound 14 was trans-2-n-propyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 15 and 16

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to obtain 7.0 g of a solid excepting the use of 4-amino-2-ethylthiochroman in place of the 4-amino chroman in Preparation Example 1. This solid exhibited two spots on a thin-layer chromatogram so that it was adsorbed on a silica gel and eluted out by using a 1:10 solvent mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane. As a result, the compound 15 and compound 16 were obtained. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 15 was cis-2-ethyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman and the compound 16 was trans-2-ethyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfonaminothiochroman.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 17

0.40 g (1.2 m moles) of the compound 9 obtained in Preparation Example 9 was dissolved in 5.0 ml of acetic acid and 2.0 g (0.018 mole) of 30% aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide were added thereto. After a reaction for 5 hours at 100° C., it was poured into 50 ml of water and the crystals formed there were collected by filtration. As a result, the compound 17 was obtained. The structural formula and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 17 was 6-fluoro-trans-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfoneaminothiochroman-1,1-dioxide.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 18 to 20

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 17 was undertaken to obtain the compound 18, compound 19 or compound 20 excepting the use of the compound 10 (Preparation Example 18), compound 15 (Preparation Example 19) or compound 16 (Preparation Example 20) in place of the compound 9 in Preparation Example 17. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results of the analysis indicated that the compound 18 was 6-fluoro-cis-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfoaminothiochroman-1,1-dioxide, the compound 19 was cis-2-ethyl-4-trifluoropmethanesulfoaminothiochroman-1,1-dioxide and the compound 20 was trans-2-ethyl-4-trifluoromethanesulfoaminothiochroman1,1-dioxide.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES 21 and 22

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken excepting the use of 4-amino-6-fluorothiochroman (Preparation Example 21) or 4-amino-6-fluoro-2,2-dimethylthiochroman (Preparation Example 22) in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1 and the thus obtained compounds were used in place of the compound 9 in Preparation Example 17 in the same procedure as in Preparation Example 17 to obtain the compound 21 or compound 22. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 23

1.0 g (3 m moles) of the compound 9 obtained in Preparation Example 9 was dissolved in 10 ml of acetic acid and 0.34 g (3 m moles) of 30% aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide was added thereto. After a reaction for 24 hours at room temperature, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure and the thus obtained solid was adsorbed on a silica gel and eluted out by using a 2:1 solvent mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane. In this manner, 0.80 g of the compound 23 was obtained. The structural formula and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 24

0.40 g (1.2 m moles) of the compound 13 obtained in Preparation Example 13 was dissolved in 5.0 ml of acetic acid and 0.136 g (1.2 m moles) of 30% aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide was added thereto. After a reaction for 24 hours at room temperature, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure and the thus obtained solid was recrystallized from acetic acid. In this manner, 0.20 g of the compound 24 was obtained. The structural formula and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 25 and 26

The same procedure as in Preparation Example 1 was undertaken to give the compound 25 and compound 26 excepting the use of 3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-amino-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide (Preparation Example 25) or 3,4-dihydro-2-ethyl-4-amino-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide (Preparation Example 26) in place of the 4-aminochroman in Preparation Example 1. The structural formulas and the analytical results thereof are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                 Amount                             Compound                Elementary analysis* (%)                                                                    Melting                                                                               obtained                                                                            Yield                         No.   Structural formula                                                                               C    H   N   point (°C.)                                                                    (g)  (%)                           __________________________________________________________________________            ##STR45##        42.3 (42.7)                                                                         3.3 (3.6)                                                                          5.1 (5.0)                                                                          78.4˜80.3                                                                       6.8  71                            2                                                                                     ##STR46##        40.6 (40.4)                                                                         3.4 (3.4)                                                                          4.8 (4.7)                                                                          65.5˜68.0                                                                       8.1  80                            3                                                                                     ##STR47##        37.3 (36.2)                                                                         2.9 (2.7)                                                                          4.0 (4.2)                                                                          111.9˜114.5                                                                     7.3  65                            4                                                                                     ##STR48##        42.4 (42.4)                                                                         3.7 (3.9)                                                                          4.7 (4.5)                                                                          85.1˜87.6                                                                       6.9  65                            5                                                                                     ##STR49##        33.0 (32.8)                                                                         2.0 (2.2)                                                                          3.5 (3.8)                                                                          107.4˜109.8                                                                     10.1 81                            6                                                                                     ##STR50##        36.5 (36.2)                                                                         2.3 (2.5)                                                                          4.3 (3.8)                                                                          78.6˜81.0                                                                       9.5  76                            7                                                                                     ##STR51##        42.4 (42.4)                                                                         3.7 (3.9)                                                                          4.7 (4.5)                                                                          103.5˜105.0                                                                     4.3  41                            8                                                                                     ##STR52##        42.4 (42.4)                                                                         3.7 (3.9)                                                                          4.9 (4.5)                                                                          63.0˜65.0                                                                       2.1  20                            9                                                                                     ##STR53##        39.8 (40.1)                                                                         3.1 (3.4)                                                                          4.1 (4.1)                                                                          101.8˜104.1                                                                     3.4  29                            10                                                                                    ##STR54##        39.6 (40.1)                                                                         3.0 (3.4)                                                                          3.9 (4.3)                                                                          136.0˜136.6                                                                     2.3  21                            11                                                                                    ##STR55##        38.7 (38.2)                                                                         3.1 (3.2)                                                                          3.8 (4.1)                                                                          114.5˜115.5                                                                     8.5  72                            12                                                                                    ##STR56##        35.6 (34.7)                                                                         2.7 (2.7)                                                                          3.6 (3.7)                                                                          144.1˜146.3                                                                     8.0  62                            13                                                                                    ##STR57##        45.7 (46.0)                                                                         4.6 (4.8)                                                                          4.3 (4.1)                                                                          147.1˜148.8                                                                     3.7  32                            14                                                                                    ##STR58##        45.7 (46.0)                                                                         4.7 (4.8)                                                                          4.3 (4.1)                                                                          108.5˜109.4                                                                     1.2  10                            15                                                                                    ##STR59##        44.3 (44.3)                                                                         4.3 (4.3)                                                                          4.4 (4.3)                                                                          138.8˜140.4                                                                     2.9  26                            16                                                                                    ##STR60##        44.4 (44.3)                                                                         4.4 (4.3)                                                                          4.5 (4.3)                                                                          98.4˜100.5                                                                      1.4  12                            17                                                                                    ##STR61##        36.0 (36.6)                                                                         2.8 (3.1)                                                                          3.6 (3.9)                                                                          132.7˜133.6                                                                     0.37 83                            18                                                                                    ##STR62##        36.1 (36.6)                                                                         2.8 (3.1)                                                                          3.6 (3.9)                                                                          186.0˜186.5                                                                     0.38 83                            19                                                                                    ##STR63##        40.2 (40.3)                                                                         3.8 (3.9)                                                                          4.2 (3.9)                                                                          121.6˜123.0                                                                     0.43 100                           20                                                                                    ##STR64##        40.3 (40.3)                                                                         3.9 (3.9)                                                                           4.2 (3.9)                                                                         111.0˜112.5                                                                     0.42 98                            21                                                                                    ##STR65##        34.3 (34.6)                                                                         2.4 (2.6)                                                                          3.9 (4.0)                                                                          126.3˜129.1                                                                     0.37 88                            22                                                                                    ##STR66##        38.4 (38.4)                                                                         3.4 (3.5)                                                                          3.5 (3.7)                                                                          157.5˜158.0                                                                     0.41 90                            23                                                                                    ##STR67##        38.1 (38.3)                                                                         3.1 (3.2)                                                                          4.1 (4.1)                                                                          156.4˜158.0                                                                     0.80 77                            24                                                                                    ##STR68##        43.9 (43.9)                                                                         4.4 (4.5)                                                                          4.2 (3.9)                                                                          202.0˜204.2                                                                     0.20 47                            25                                                                                    ##STR69##        35.1 (34.9)                                                                         3.1 (3.2)                                                                          8.2 (8.1)                                                                          153.0˜154.2                                                                     8.5  73                            26                                                                                    ##STR70##        36.9 (36.9)                                                                         3.4 (3.7)                                                                          7.6 (7.8)                                                                          102.2˜105.0                                                                     7.8  64                            __________________________________________________________________________      *The value in brackets shows the theoretical value.                      

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Compound                                                                       No.   Infrared spectrum*.sup.1 (cm.sup.-1)                                                            Proton NMR spectrum*.sup.2 (ppm)                        __________________________________________________________________________     1     3320(NH)1379,1200(SO.sub.2)                                                                     2.22(m,1H) 2.30(m,1H) 4.18(m,1H) 4.30(m,1H)                                    4.80(m,1H) 5.15(d,1H) 6.84(d,1H) 6.96(t,1H)                                    7.19˜7.29(m,2H)                                   2     3340(NH)1374,1192(SO.sub.2)                                                                     2.19(m,1H) 2.53(m,1H) 3.02(m,1H) 3.17(m,1H)                                    4.86(m,1H) 5.21(d,1H) 7.07˜7.30(m,4H)             3     3300(NH)1385,1210(SO.sub.2)                                                                     2.15(m,1H) 2.50(m,1H) 2.90˜3.20(m,2H)                                    4.80(m,1H)                                                                     5.15(s,1H) 7.03˜7.28(m,3H)                        4     3345(NH)1380, 1204(SO.sub.2)                                                                    1.94(m,1H) 2.40(s,3H) 2.65(m,1H) 2.97(m,1H)                                    3.21(m,1H) 5.07(t,1H) 5.13(d,1H)                                               6.95˜7.25(m,3H)                                   5     3340(NH)1390,1210(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.88(m,1H) 2.73(m,1H) 3.05(m,1H) 3.25(m,1H)                                    5.02(m,1H) 5.37(s,1H) 7.15(d,1H) 7.30(d,1H)             6     3280(NH)1380,1202(SO.sub.2)                                                                     2.20(m,1H) 2.53(m,1H) 3.05˜3.19(m,2H)                                    4.93(m,1H) 5.45(d,1H) 7.25(m,1H) 7.48(d,1H)                                    7.63(d,1H)                                              7     3300(NH)1372,1185(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.03(d,3H) 2.64(m,1H) 2.75(q,1H) 3.42(q,1H)                                    4.45(q,1H)                                                                     5.20(d,1H) 7.07˜7.27(m,4H)                        8     3320(NH)1386,1205(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.24(d,3H) 2.31(m,1H) 2.75(t,1H) 3.06(q,1H)                                    4.64(q,1H)                                                                     5.34(d,1H) 7.08˜7.28(m,4H)                        9     3340(NH)1380,1215(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.42(d,3H) 1.83(m,1H) 2.45(m,1H) 3.43(m,1H)                                    5.48(d,1H) 5.82(m,1H) 6.90˜7.10(m,3H)             10    3300(NH)1388,1212(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.38(d,3H) 1.94(q,1H) 2.58(m,1H) 3.50(m,1H)                                    4.81(m,1H) 5.34(d,1H) 6.88˜7.18(m,3H)             11    3350(NH)1390,1215(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.00(d,3H) 2.60(m,1H) 2.85(q,1H) 3.42(q,1H)                                    4.48(s,1H) 5.40(s,1H) 7.04˜7.35(m,3H)             12    3320(NH)1375,1210(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.40(d,3H) 1.98(m,1H) 2.28˜2.50(m,1H)                                    3.58(m,1H)                                                                     4.55˜4.77(m,1H) 7.20(s,1H) 7.45(s,1H)                                    9.60(d,1H)                                              13    3300(NH)1385,1200(SO.sub.2)                                                                     0.97(t,3H) 1.50(m,2H) 1.65(m,2H) 1.97(q,1H)                                    2.56(m,1H)                                                                     3.42(m,1H) 4.83(m,1H) 5.22(d,1H)                                               7.10˜7.41(m,1H)                                   14    3340(NH)1386,1182(SO.sub.2)                                                                     0.97(t,3H) 1.51(m,2H) 1.67(m,2H) 1.88(m,1H)                                    2.50(m,1H)                                                                     3.40(m,1H) 4.86(m,1H) 5.25(d,1H)                                               7.06˜7.29(m,4H)                                   15    3325(NH)1375,1182(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.06(t,3H) 1.71(m,2H) 1.97(q,1H) 2.58(m,1h)                                    3.35(m,1H)                                                                     4.84(m,1H) 5.20(d,1H) 7.10˜7.20(m,3H)                                    7.40(d,1H)                                              16    3280(NH)1380,1188(SO.sub.2)                                                                     1.07(t,3H) 1.75(m,2H) 1.87(m,1H) 2.52(m,1H)                                    3.33(m,1H)                                                                     4.88(m,1H) 5.23(d,1H) 7.07˜7.28(m,4H)             17    3320(NH)1400,1305,1165(SO.sub.2)                                                                1.38(d,3H) 2.43˜2.63(m,2H) 3.50(m,1H)                                    4.85(m,1H) 6.82(d,1H) 7.15˜7.28(m,2H)                                    7.75˜7.85(m,1H)                                   18    3220(NH)1400,1244,1160(SO.sub.2)                                                                1.13(t,3H) 1.58(m,1H) 2.20(m,2H) 2.58(m,1H)                                    3.12(m,1H)                                                                     4.85(m,1H) 7.20˜7.37(m,2H)                                               7.93˜8.03(m,1H) 9.78(s,1H)                        19    3220(NH)1398,1244,1160(SO.sub.2)                                                                1.13(t,3H) 1.58(m,1H) 2.20(m,2H) 2.58(m,1H)                                    3.12(m,1H)                                                                     4.87(m,1H) 6.37(d,1H) 7.51˜7.57(m,2H)                                    7.63(t,1H) 7.90(d,1H)                                   20    3250(NH)1398,1302,1160(SO.sub.2)                                                                1.10(t,3H) 1.59(m,1H) 2.14(m,1H)                                               2.48˜2.66(m,2H) 3.30(m,1H)                                               4.94(s,1H) 6.36(s,1H) 7.50(d,1H) 7.56(t,1H0                                    7.63(t,1H) 7.87(d,1H)                                   21    3300(NH)1395,1300,1200,1160(SO.sub.2)                                                           2.77(m,2H) 3.57(m,2H) 4.53(s,1H)                                               4.93(m,1H) 7.32(m,2H) 7.95(m,1H)                        22    3280(NH)1400,1300,1160(SO.sub.2)                                                                1.45(s,3H) 1.49(s,3H) 2.34(q,1H) 2.82(t,1H)                                    4.80(q,1H) 7.31(m,2H) 7.98(m,1H) 10.0(d,1H)             23    3470(NH)1385,1200(SO.sub.2)1010(SO)                                                             1.20(d,3H) 2.01(m,1H) 2.52(m,1H) 3.25(m,1H)                                    4.65(m,1H)                                                                     7.11˜7.22(m,2H) 7.65(m,1H) 9.02(d,1H)             24    3470(NH)1382,1188(SO.sub.2)1010(SO)                                                             0.95(t,3H) 1.54(m,4H) 1.73(m,1H) 1.93(m,1H)                                    3.25(m,1H)                                                                     4.90(m,1H) 7.45˜7.82(m,4H) 10.26(s,1H)*.sup.                             3                                                       25    3200(NH)1380,1335,1200,1175,(SO.sub.2)                                                          2.87(s,3H) 3.74(m,2H) 4.87(m,1H)                                               6.42(d,1H) 7.50˜7.75(m,4H)                        26    3220(NH)1392,1320,1210,1182(SO.sub.2)                                                           1.23(t,3H) 3.12(m,1H) 3.44(m,1H)                                               3.77(m,2H) 4.84(m,1H) 6.45(d,1H)                                               7.50˜7.75(m,4H)                                   __________________________________________________________________________      *.sup.1 KBr tablet method                                                      *.sup.2 Solvent: chloroformD, Internal standard: tetramethyl silane (TMS)      *.sup.3 Solvent: dimethyl sulfoxideD.sub.6, Internal standard: tetramethy      silane (TMS)                                                             

EXAMPLES 1 to 26 and COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 (1) Preparation of herbicides

A carrier for wettable powder was prepared by uniformly pulverizing and mixing 97 parts by weight of talc (trade name Zieklite) as a carrier, 1.5 parts by weight of alkyl aryl sulfonate (trade name Neopelex, manufactured by Kao Atlas Co.) as a surface active agent and 1.5 parts by weight of a nonionic and anionic surface active agent (trade name Solpol 800A, manufactured by Toho Kagaku Kogyo Co.).

Herbicides were obtained each by uniformly pulverizing and mixing 90 parts by weight of this carrier for wettable powder and 10 parts by weight of one of the trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives obtained in the above described Preparation Examples (or 10 parts by weight of N-benzyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide in Comparative Example 1).

(2) Bioassay (folian treatment)

Seeds of weeds including Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli and Ipomoea purpurea and seeds of Gossypium spp were sowed on in upland field soil filled in 1/5000 are Wagner pots and, after covering up with soil, were grown in a greenhouse and an aqueous suspension of the herbicide obtained in (1) described above in a predetermined amount was uniformly sprayed over the foliage in a liquid volume corresponding to 200 liters per 10 ares when these plants were in their single-leaf or double-leaf stage. Thereafter, the test plants were grown in a green-house for 20 days and the herbicidal activity was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3.

Incidentally, the herbicidal activity and the phytotoxicity to the crops by the chemicals are expressed according to the following criteria.

    ______________________________________                                         Herbicidal     Treated/untreated weight ratio                                  activity       of residual weeds, %                                            ______________________________________                                         0              100                                                             1              61-80                                                           2              41-60                                                           3              21-40                                                           4              6-20                                                            4.5            1-5                                                             5              0                                                               ______________________________________                                         Phytotoxicity to                                                               crops by       Treated/untreated weight ratio                                  chemicals      of residual weeds, %                                            ______________________________________                                         -              100                                                             ±           95-99                                                           +              90-94                                                           ++             80-89                                                           +++            0-79                                                            ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________                       Herbicidal activity    Phytotoxicty                                Compound                                                                             Dosage*.sup.1                                                                         Digitaria                                                                           Echinochloa                                                                          Ipomoea                                                                             Abutilon                                                                             to Gossypium                          No.   used  (g.a.i/are)                                                                          sanguinalis                                                                          crus-galli                                                                           purpurea                                                                            theophrasti                                                                          spp                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Example 1                                                                             1    10    1     1     5    5     --                                    Example 2                                                                             2    10    3     4     5    5     --                                    Example 3                                                                             3    10    3     5     5    5     --                                    Example 4                                                                             4    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 5                                                                             5    10    1     3     5    5     --                                    Example 6                                                                             6    10    3     3     5    5     --                                    Example 7                                                                             7    10    5     5     5    4     --                                    Example 8                                                                             8    10    5     5     5    4     --                                    Example 9                                                                             9    10    4     5     5    5     --                                    Example 10                                                                           10    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 11                                                                           11    10    1     5     5    5     --                                    Example 12                                                                           12    10    1     1     4    5     --                                    Example 13                                                                           13    10    1     1     3    4     --                                    Example 14                                                                           14    10    1     1     3    4     --                                    Example 15                                                                           15    10    5     5     5    3     --                                    Example 16                                                                           16    10    2     4     5    3     --                                    Example 17                                                                           17    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 18                                                                           18    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 19                                                                           19    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 20                                                                           20    10    1     3     5    5     --                                    Example 21                                                                           21    10    3     3     5    5     --                                    Example 22                                                                           22    10    4     5     5    5     --                                    Example 23                                                                           23    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 24                                                                           24    10    2     3     5    3     --                                    Example 25                                                                           25    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Example 26                                                                           26    10    5     5     5    5     --                                    Compara-                                                                             Formula                                                                              100   1     1     1    1     --                                    tive  [A]*.sup.2                                                               Example 1   10    0     0     0    0     --                                    __________________________________________________________________________      *.sup.1 gram active ingredient                                                 *.sup.2 N-benzyltrifuoromethanesulfonamide (the specification of U.S. Pat      No. 3,629,332) represented by the formula                                      ##STR71##                                                                

EXAMPLES 27 to 34 and COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 (Soil treatment)

Seeds of weeds including Digitaria sanguinalis, Setaria viridis and Cynodon doctylon and seeds of Zea maize, Glycine max and Gossypium spp were sowed in upland field soil filled with in 1/5000 are Wagner pots and, after covering up with soil, an aqueous suspension of one of the herbicides obtained in the same manner as in the above described Examples 1 to 26 and the herbicide obtained in Comparative Example 1 each in a predetermined amount was uniformly sprayed onto the surface of the soil. Thereafter, the test plants were grown in a greenhouse for 20 days and the herbicidal activity and the phytotoxicity to the crops were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 4.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________                        Herbicidal activity                                                                           Phytotoxicity                                       Compound                                                                             Dosage*                                                                              Digitaria                                                                            Setaria                                                                            Cynodon                                                                             Glycine                                                                              Gossypium                                                                           Zea                                      used  (g.a.i/are)                                                                          sanguinalis                                                                          viridis                                                                            doctylon                                                                            max  ssp   maize                             __________________________________________________________________________     Example 27                                                                            6     5     5     4   4    --   --    --                                Example 28                                                                            7     5     5     4   4    --   --    --                                Example 29                                                                            9     5     5     5   5    --   --    --                                Example 30                                                                            10    5     5     5   5    --   --    --                                Example 31                                                                            17    5     4.5   4   5    --   --    --                                Example 32                                                                            18    5     4.5   5   4    --   --    --                                Example 33                                                                            21    5     5     5   5    --   --    --                                Example 34                                                                            23    5     5     5   5    --   --    --                                Comparative                                                                           Formula                                                                              50    2     2   2    --   --    --                                Example 2                                                                             [A]   5     0     0   0    --   --    --                                __________________________________________________________________________      *the same meaning as in Table 3 for g.a.i.                               

EXAMPLE 35 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 3 and 4

Cypeurs rotundus in their six- to seven-leaf stage as grown in 1/5000-are Wagner pots filled with upland field soil were treated by uniformly spraying an aqueous suspension of a predetermined amount of the herbicide obtained in Example 25 or a predetermined amount of a herbicide obtained by the same procedure as in Comparative Example 1 excepting the use of Perfluidone or the compound described in the official publication of Japanese Patent Kokai No. 61-221170 in place of N-benzyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide used in Comparative Example 1 over the foliage in a liquid volume corresponding to 200 liters per 10 ares. Thereafter, the test plants were grown in a greenhouse for one month and the herbicidal activity was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                                  Dosage*.sup.1                                                                            Herbicidal                                  No.      Compound used   (g.a.i/are)                                                                              activity                                    ______________________________________                                         Example 35                                                                              Compound 25     5         5                                           Comparative                                                                             Perfluidone*.sup.2                                                                             5         0                                           Example 3                                                                      Comparative                                                                             Compound described in                                                                          5         1                                           Example 4                                                                               Japanese Patent Kokai                                                          No. 61-221170*.sup.3                                                  ______________________________________                                          *.sup.1 the same meaning as in Table 3 for g.a.i.                              ##STR72##                                                                      ##STR73##                                                                

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION

The novel trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives present invention can be prepared efficiently by the disclosed method and these trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives are useful as a herbicide for use in upland field by virtue of the excellent herbicidal activity against weeds including hardly controllable weeds and absence of phytotoxicity against crops in upland field. Further, they can be utilized as a herbicide in the non-plowed field and a plant growth regulator. 

We claim:
 1. A trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR74## wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and A is --SO₂ --NR³ -- and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 2. The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of ##STR75##
 3. The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of claim 1 of the formula ##STR76##
 4. The trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of claim 1 of the formula ##STR77##
 5. A herbicide comprising a carrier and a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the general formula ##STR78## wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a haloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1, 2 or 3 and A is --SO₂ --NR³ -- and R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 6. The method for protecting crops from weeds comprising applying to the site in which the crops are grown a herbicidally effective amount of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of claim
 1. 7. The method for protecting crops from weeds comprising applying to the site in which the crops are grown a herbicidally effective amount of a trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivative of claim
 2. 